Ex husband's Plea for Forgiveness

Chapter 97 There's Not Much Time

The launch for the new book was to be held in two days. There seemed to be a lot of hype and news coverage around it, and the Gu family was also just as excited. The Gu's mansion was a beehive of activity and at dinner, Nelson asked for the umpteenth time about the event. The question brought a sweet smile on Melinda's face because it was an indication of how supportive he was of her career. She informed him that Jonas would be present.

"That's a great improvement. If you have more time to spare, it would be good if you spent more time with Mellie for you to cultivate, and build a good relationship." Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Nelson was relieved and gently patted Jonas on his shoulder, conveying his pride on his grandson's good behavior. He was glad that his grandson was putting more effort into his relationship, an action that pleased him greatly.

Right at that moment, Yulia left her room and went downstairs to look for her kitten. She was just on time to hear the exchange between Nelson and Melinda and instead of continuing with her journey, she gingerly stepped back into the shadows, and tiptoed back to her room.

She had been struggling to come up with an idea on how to mess up Melinda's book launch, and was pleasantly surprised that the perfect opportunity had just presented itself.

"Are you feeling nervous? Is there anything I can do? Do you need me to attend the launch and give you some support?"

This was the first time for Melinda to hold a launch event, so she had outdone herself and invited a lot of famous writers. It was true that she was nervous, which worried her because she thought everyone would notice how nervous and green she was at the book writing business. Basically she felt like an imposter.

"You don't have to come Grandpa. I would be really nervous if you came, since there are going to be so many people around and I don't want you to overtax yourself."

In fact, Melinda didn't want Nelson exhausting himself and using unnecessary energy because of her. Besides, she was going to be busy and preoccupied dealing with the event, so she would not have time to keep an eye on him and make sure that he was fine.

Due to her busy schedule during the launch, she had also declined an offer from her own grandparents for the same reason that she didn't want Nelson there. The only person she had invited was Jonas. Everyone else who was there that she knew were all there for work, a team from the studio organizing the technical aspects for the book launch. They were a team specifically sent by the publishing company to make sure everything was running smoothly.

When the staff from the studio got wind that Jonas would be attending the launch, they were in a frenzy and informed all their close friends and relatives. News of his presence soon spread very fast attracting a large crowd that was now interested to attend the launch. Soon all the tickets were sold out. The studio also organized some actors to act as characters from the book for the launch, something that was unheard of for a first-time writer.

The publicity was on point and attracted a large number of attendants.

Melinda was agonizing over every little detail and so she made numerous trips to the site for two consecutive days, just to make sure that the layout was exactly as she had envisioned it and the safety measures had all been put in place. She didn't want any nasty surprises popping up at the last minute. Jonas who had been keenly observing her for the last few days quietly ordered for more security guards to be added to the venue and of course for Melinda's personal security.

Melinda wanted to look elegant for the book launch and this was a look she really wouldn't achieve on her own. She needed a glam squad, so to save time she went to the company since these as some of

the perks she gained by working with a renowned publisher.

When she arrived, everything had been organized in advance. The department fashion designer had organized for Melinda a gown that would make her stand out, although still in her style. The hairdresser had also come up with something that would complement Melinda's outfit. By the time they were done, Melinda looked spectacular.

She had on a delicate and lacy, light blue, empire waist princess dress, that accentuated her hour glass waist, and then cascaded into an A-line, emphasized by the ruffled organza material that made the dress look as if it was floating around her. She completed the look with a pair of flawless dreamy blue pearls and a pair of silver white high heels. Her shoulder length hair was wrapped around her head into a halo crown braid and held together by delicate clips made of diamonds. Because her outfit had so much going on, the make-up artist settled for a natural look and nude lipstick to make her look fresh and gentle.

"Melinda, your skin is so smooth that it makes me jealous."

Due to their grueling work schedule, writers rarely had enough time to come up with a skin care routine or even get enough sleep which was vital for flawless skin. Melinda just smiled at the compliment, at the thought of how hard she had to remind herself to get enough sleep and not stay up late trying to beat a deadline. Her smooth skin was the result of hard work on it and restraint from harmful schedules.

After a short meeting with her editor to go through a few changes on her presentation. Melinda and her team left the company and headed for the book launch site.

The venue was not packed yet, apart from a few fans. Melinda had run a raffle game and chose twenty of her fans who could attend the launch. The fans were very excited when they saw her although organized and did not go past the security demarcations.

"Melinda, I'm one of your biggest fans. I've been following your writings from the first book that you wrote. Your writing is easy to follow, and the vivid descriptions in your work sometimes makes me filled with warmth and love for the characters, while sometimes I hate the nasty characters so much. You make me feel as if the writings are real life. Thank you for your wonderful work."

The girl who was speaking in an animated manner was the president of Melinda's fan club. Melinda had heard about the girl, but this was the first time she was meeting her. She was moved by her words since she had never thought that her words had such an impact on her readers.

"Thank you for your kind words."

Melinda reached out and gave the girl a gentle hug. She then took her special pen from her assistant and gave her fan an autograph on the book that she had purchased.

Everything was running smoothly as expected without any hitches. The master of ceremony introduced Melinda who was busy in a meet and greet organized by her editor, with other writers and important people in the literary field.

Meanwhile at the Gu's mansion, Jonas had put everything in order and taken care of everything that needed his immediate attention. As soon as he figured that the event was about to begin, he put on the outfits that Melinda had laid out for him the previous night. The three button, merino, wool cashmere suit was black peppered with light brown pinstripes that were barely visible unless one was closely scrutinizing his outfit.

He looked mysterious in his midnight black suit, which emphasized his aloof and arrogant nature, an attribute that Melinda thought suited him very well. The suit was low-key but luxurious at the cuff, and the shirt was made of dark blue lace. The smooth lines hugged Jonas's well-toned figure.

Remembering the description of his hair style that Melinda had written about in one of her books, Jonas applied a penny sized glob of gel on his finger tips and rubbed through his hair from the roots to avoid

applying too much. His slick hair emphasized his plump forehead and sharp eyes.

Outside the villa, Yulia was pacing up and down under a tree, burning through a small path, an indication that she had been there for a while. She looked into the villa from time to time and finally heard some noise. Immediately her demeanor changed, she suddenly hunched over her stomach, her face contorted into a painful expression while furiously rubbing her stomach and hurried into the villa.

"Jonas, my stomach is aching," stated Yulia as she staggered into the living room. "The family doctor has gone out with Grandpa today. Can you please take me to the hospital for a test? I feel like I'm dying."

Yulia rushed over and pulled Jonas's sleeve, which wrinkled instantly from how roughly she has handling it. Jonas narrowed his eyes with displeasure.

"Where is Gavin?"

Jonas slowly removed Yulia's hand from his sleeve, then pushed her a little bit to get some space to walk around and helped her to sit down. He impatiently looked at his watch and realized that he was running late.

"I have looked all over for Gavin but I can't find him. It hurts. Jonas, please help me."

Cold sweat broke out on her forehead. Yulia shook off Jonas's hand from her shoulder and huddled herself up on the floor, almost rolling in pain.

Looking at her painful expression, Jonas pursed his lips tightly while his brows wrinkled tightly in deep thought. Yulia observed his face carefully and then continued to exhale loudly.

Jonas's thoughts were interrupted by his very loud ringtone.

At the sight of the name blinking on the screen, a smile appeared on Jonas's face.

"Mellie."

"Are you on your way? What time should we expect you to arrive?"

Melinda asked as she looked around the venue analyzing the situation. Everyone was ready and the event would be starting anytime. Jonas was expected to make an appearance within an hour, so Melinda had called to touch base with him and remind him that they were expecting him.

"I'm leaving the mansion right now. Don't worry. I know I promised that I would be there and I plan to keep my promise."

At that moment, he didn't have anything holding him back and so he decided to go straight to the venue.

When Yulia heard Jonas's statement, his words pierced through her heart as if he had struck her with a sharp blade. Her heart sank and she clutched her sleeves tightly. 'Damn Melinda, she has the nerve to call just as I have put my plan in action,' she cursed in the heart.

"Okay. Take care of yourself. Bye."

Melinda answered the phone with one hand and covered the mouthpiece with her other hand to contain the noise as they spoke. Right after she hung up, the editor walked over.

"Hasn't the mysterious guest arrived yet?"

"I called him just now. He has confirmed his availability and he is on his way," said Melinda.

She had a lot of confidence in Jonas, but somehow her eyelids kept twitching a sign that something bad was about to happen and she had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Melinda took a deep breath and chalked her doubts to nervousness.

"I will help you by contacting Gavin. There are so many people around the villa. Someone should accompany you to the hospital,"

Jonas informed Yulia indifferently after hanging up the phone. Then he asked Mary, who worked in his villa, to get in touch with Gavin. If there was still no one, he would ask the kitchen staff to send her to the hospital.

"Miss Yulia, let me help you so that you can get inside and take a rest. It's cold on the ground."

Wiping her hands with tissue, Mary untied her apron and walked carefully to Yulia's side. However, Yulia gave her a lethal, cold glance, which made her hands tremble with fear.

Mary assumed that she was overreacting and felt that she must be too old to see things clearly. She didn't want to believe that she had seen such a malicious look on Yulia's face.

After taking Yulia into the house to have a rest, Mary asked someone to make a call to Gavin. Yulia sat on the couch, pulled out her phone and then put it back in her bag.

"Mary, can you get me a glass of hot water? I am very thirsty."

Yulia licked her lips and said in a hoarse voice. Mary reluctantly stood and went to the kitchen to get some water. Without getting noticed, Yulia sneaked into the bathroom.

After carefully locking the door, she took out her phone and dialed Emily's number. It was answered immediately. It seemed that Emily had been waiting for her call.

"I didn't manage to stall my brother. He is now heading to the launch event," Yulia said with her back against the door, her eyes closed. Hatred burned through her heart like lava in a volcano.

"Weren't you supposed to pretend that you were sick? Did your brother ignore your condition and still decide to go for Melinda's event?"

Emily asked in surprise. Then she remembered Jonas's personality. If he didn't care about someone, he would not spare a second look towards them, even if they were about to die.

Emily's words, however, had made Yulia hate Melinda even more. She was seriously ill. How could Jonas do this to her? He had left his sister in pain, just because of a call from Melinda.

"You'd better come up with a new strategy on how you are going to stall him."

Yulia didn't want to have that discussion anymore. What happened just now was like an insult to her. Fortunately, not many people witnessed her humiliation.

When Yulia walked out of the bathroom, she saw Mary looking for her anxiously. When she spotted Yulia, Mary breathed a sigh of relief.

"Gavin has organized the driver and a servant to send you to the hospital," Mary said as she brought some hot water to Yulia.

"I went to the bathroom just now and it seems I am just on my period. I'm fine," Yulia said as she held her stomach.

She acted like a shy girl as if she was embarrassed to have caused such a fuss. Mary bought her act immediately.

At the same time, Jonas was speeding through the high way. Although he was sure that he had enough time to reach the venue, he didn't want to make Melinda any more anxious than she already was. Generally it would take about an hour for him to arrive at the venue from the Gu's mansion. However, according to his current speed, he could make it in about forty-five minutes.

When he drove out of the suburb, he crossed through the urban bridge. The buildings on both sides of the bridge were receding at a high speed. Jonas gradually slowed down, as the traffic in the city grew heavier. He couldn't willfully drive around like a crazy lunatic.

Emily had investigated the road from the Gu's mansion to the site of the event and come up with the most obvious route that Jonas would use. She waited by the side of the road that he would use. As soon as she heard the sound of his Ashton Martin, she moved into the road moving towards the oncoming vehicle.

Jonas saw a car appear out of nowhere, driving on the wrong side of the road. He stepped on the emergency brake bringing the car to a sudden halt, while gravel splattered at the back of the car. A familiar person came out of the car.

Emily got off the car and hit the hood of the car, her face full of anxiety and helplessness. When she saw Jonas's car, her eyes flashed with excitement, and then she rushed forward and knocked at his window.

"Jonas, is it really you?!"

Emily said happily, clasping her bag nervously to her chest as she used all her acting skills.

"Can you please move your car to the side of the road? I need to get through."

It was the only road, and it was narrow. Emily's car was blocking his way, so he couldn't drive through.

The smile on Emily's face froze, and then she said in a sad tone, "I don't know what's wrong with my car. It has refused to start no matter what I do."